Organisers of the North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards have revealed the shortlist with winners to be announced at a ceremony in Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports

Finalists for the second annual North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards have been published.

They were decided by an awards committee who had to sort through even more entries this year. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Rum Warehouse, Titanic Hotel, Liverpool on October 21.

Wirral businessman Drew Cockton, founder of the awards, said: “It’s wonderful to see businesses supporting the awards, whether that be through sponsorship or entering. The awards have grown in 2022.

“This gives us the opportunity to shine a light on our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters in business. It also gives us a chance to thank them for making our region such a fantastic and opportunity-filled place to do business and call home.”

The 10 categories include awards for best new and small business, community impact, hospitality award, best employer, the LGBTQ ally award, and outstanding contribution. There will also be special awards given out in the evening.

Sponsors of the 2022 awards include Everton Football Club, ChilliMix Holidays, MSB Solicitors, Growth Platform, Westminster Associates, Homes for Students, Cool Breeze Agency and The Guide Liverpool. The shortlist is:

Young Person in Business
Joshua Lloyd Griffin, Joshua Lloyd
Luke Davies, Polari
Oliver Jude, Oliver Jude Clothing
Liam Mitchell, Mr Tumble Liverpool

Best Small Business
Little Bear’s Fudgery
Red Floral Architecture
Splodge Creative
The Hive by VH Interiors
Unit3 Design Studio

Community Impact Award
Adam Brown Dance Company
Markos Malone
Sort Your Fit Out
Zacc Keogh, ZK Studios

LGBTQ+ Hospitality Award
Box Leisure Recruitment
FIKA Liverpool
Yas Bean

Diversity & Inclusion Award
BT (BT Consumer – BT/EE/Plusnet) part of BT Group plc
Homes for Students
United Utilities

Best New Business Award
Adam Sutton Estates
Billie The Brand Store & CiCi Morcroft
Funnyboyz

Best Employer Award
Heritage Great Britain
Softcat

LGBTQ_ Ally Award
Dobie Optimum Fitness
Dolphin Health Club
Merseymade
Sophie Green
This Generation

Outstanding Personal Achievement
David Griffiths, Allport Dental Surgery
Joshua Kelly, Hair Choice
Lee Chambers, Essentialise
Paul Kallee-Grover, Ki Partnership

For more information click www.LGBTQBusinessAwards.com